Clothes-washing machine



Aug. zo, 1929.9

' L "A. HERSH CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE Fil-ed Feb. 16, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 bis Arrow/Ex Aug. zo, 1929. LA HRSH 1,125,351

'CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE Filed Feb. 16, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 /7/5 ATTORNEY Aug. 2o, 1929. 1 A. HER'SH- 1,725,351

CLOTHES WASHING IACHINE Filed Feb. 16, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet. 3

Patented Aug. 20, 19.29.

UNITED STATES y 1,725,351 PATENT OFFICE.

LOVELL A. BERSH, F DAYTON', OHIO, ASSIGNOR T0 HARRY BORN, 0l DAYTON, OHIO.

CLOTHES-WASHING MACHINE.'

Application led February 18, 1929. Serialllo'. 840,008.

This invention relates to a clothes washing machine and is in the nature of an improvement on'the clothes washing machine shown and described in the application filed by Charles Roberts, on July 19, 1928, Serial No. 293,845.

One object of the invention is to provide in a machine of the type shown in the above mentioned application a lgear box of a strong durable character which may be made in one piece and which will be of such a character that the driving mechanism ma be easily inserted and assembled therein.

A further object of the invention is to provide in such a. machine improved means for connecting the agitator with its shaft.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved mechanism for operating the clutch which' connects the agitator with the source of power.

Other objects of the invention will ap ear as the mechanism is described in deta1l.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view takenv centrally through a machine embodying my invent-ion, with the pedestal in elevation and partly broken away; Fig. 2 is a plan view of such a machine, partly broken away and showing the agitator in transverse section; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1, through the gear box; Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on the line 5-'5 of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line 6--6 of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a section taken on the line 7--7 of Fig. 3; and Fig. 8 is a detail view of the connectionf between the agitator and its actuating sha t.

In these drawings I have illustrated one embodiment of my invention but it will be understood that this particular embodiment bas been chosen for the purpose of illustrationv` only and that the mechanism may take various forms without departing from. the spirit of the invent-ion.

The vmachine shown in these drawings comprises a tub 1 which is supported by a pedestal 2, the latter being here shown as formed of sheet metal. Interposed between the pedestal 2 and the tub is a gear box, indicated as a whole by the reference number 3, which serves to connect the tub with the pedestal. This gear box preferably comprises an inner end portion 4 which, in the present machine, is substantially cylindrical in shafpe and is rigidl secured to the u per end o the, pedestal 2 by sc ews 5. Preiierably the part 4 of the gear box is provided at its lower edge by a flange 6 which overla s the upper end of the pedestal and not on y reinforces the connection between the two parts but conceals the joint and gives the structure a more finished appearance. The upper end of the part 4 of the gear box is open and, in the present instance, is slightl enlarged, as shown at 7. The bottom wal 'of the tub, which is preferably of sheet metal, rests upon the upper end of the gear box and has an opening in line with the ar box, as shown at 8. The tub is secure to the gear box by means of a plate or closure 9 which `overlaps that portion of the-bottom of the tub adjacent to the opening and is secured to the gear box by means of screws 10 which extend through the closure plate. the bottom of the tub and into lugs 11 formed within the upper end of the gear box. If desired, packing may be interposed between lthe closure plate and the bottom of the tub to provide a leak-proof 'oint. The closure plate when in position orms part of the bottom of the tub and also carries an upwardly extending tubular member 12 which extends to a point spaced a short distance from the top of the tub and which may, if desired, extend into the gear box, as shown at 13. Rotatably mounted on the tubular member 12 is an agitator comprising a disk-like base 14 and an upwardly extending tubular portion 15 which is mounted about the tubular member 12 for rotation with relation thereto. Fins or blades 16 are connected at their lower edges with the base 14 and at their inner edges with the tubular part 15 of the agitator. Mounted within the fixed tubular member 12 is a shaft 17 the upper end of which projects above the tubular member 12 and has rigidly secured thereto a collar or short lsleeve 18, the upper ortion of which is provided on opposite si es thereof with -downwardly tapered notches 19. Extending through and rigidly secured to the upper part of the tubular portion 15 of the agitator is avpin 20 adapted to.enter the notches 19 and of such a diameter that it will engage the converging edges of the notches with a wed ing action. Thus'the agitator may be readily removed from or applied to the tubular member 12, and connected with the shaft, by simply lifting it oi or slipping it on the Vus tubular member. The pin 20 enters the notches in the collar 18 and provides a firm driving connection therewith which, because of the wedgng action of the pin in the notches, will have no play and will take up automatically any wear which may occur, thus preventing all lost motion between the shaft and the agitator. The upper end of the tubular part of the agitator is closed by a cap 21. The lower end of theshaft 17 extends into the gear box beyond'the lower end of the part 13 of the tubular member and is, in the present instance, seated in a step bearing 22 carried by a transverse member 23 arranged withm and preferably formed integral with the gear box. Rigidly secured to the shaft within the gear box is a inion 24.

he vgear box 4 preferably consists ofa one-piece casing which, in the present instance, 'is formed by casting and this casing is of such a character and so shaped that the driving mechanism may be readily inserted therein and assembled. In the con-V struction here shown, the casing comprises the cylindrical portion 4 and has extending laterally from the upper part of that cylindrical portion an extension or outer portion 25, the outer end of which is slightly enlarged, as shown at 26, and has its lower side closed by a removable plate or cap 27.

' The driving mechanism, in the present instance, comprises two units and the casing lof the gear box is of such a character that one of these units may be inserted through the open upper end of the inner portion 4 thereof, before the tub is placed in position thereon, and that the other of the gear units may be inserted through the opening in the outer portion of the casing and operatively connected with the first unit. The first menvIn assembling the mechanismV the toothed segment is swung about its pivotal connection with the pitman to a position above the latter and the casing of the' gear box is so shaped that when the pitman unit is in this posltion it'may be inserted through the open upper end ofthe part 4 of the casing into the lMS lateral portion 25 thereof, the length of the pitman being such that the eccentric strap 29 will be located in a position above the Vopeningin the outer portion of the casing. In order that the pivot pin 31 may be inserted through the toothed segment after the latter has been placed withinthe casing of the gear box the lateral portion of the casing'is provided in its lower wall with a boss 32, the outer end of which is closed by a plate 33 and in which is mounted a bushing or bearing 34V to receive the lower end of the pivot pin 31. The upper wall of the casing is provided with an opening 35 in line with the bearin 34 and of such a diameter that a. tool ma e inserted therethrough to face or machlne the inner edge of the boss to provide a bearing surface. The opening 35 in the casing is closed by a cap 36 having a hollow extension or boss 37 extending into the opening and carrying a bushing or bearino' 38 for the upper portion of the shaft. After the pitman unit has been inserted in the casing the hub of the toothed segment is moved into line with the bearing 34, the

pivot pin 31 inserted through the hub and into the lower bearing and the cap 36 then placed in position with the bearinvr 38 about the upper end of the pivot pin. 'lPhe hub of the segment is secured to the pivot pin by a set screw 39, the pivot pinI being provided l with a circumferential groove 40 to receive the end of the set screw and prevent the longitudinal movement of the pivot pin with relation to the toothed segment and also to permit the toothed segment to be secured to the pivot pin in any position circumferentially thereof, thus. avoiding the necessity of bringing the set screw into line with a particular part of the pivot pin. The set screw is so arranged in the hub of the toothed segment that it may be moved into line with the part 4 of the casing so as to be readily accessible to the operator.

Mounted in the louter portion of the gear casing is a shaft unit which is operatlvely connected with the pitman unit and with a source of power. As here shown, this shaft unit comprises a vertical shaft 41 journaled in -a bearin 42, formed in an upper extension 43 of t e casing, and seated at its lower end in a step bearing 44 in the closure plate 27. Loosely mounted on' the shaft 41 1s an eccentric 45 which fits within the eccentric stra 29 -of the pitman. Suitable clutch mec anism is mounted on the shaft to connect the eccentric with and disconnect the s ame from the shaft. As here shown, a clutch member 46 is rotatably mounted on the shaft immediately above the eccentric and is rigidly secured to the lattervby screws I 47. The clutch member 46 and the eccentric are held against upward movement by means of a'collar 48 which-is rigidly secured to the shaft, preferably'by4 a pin, and is, inthe resent instance, seated in an annular recess 1n the clutch member. The eccentric and clutch member are heldagainst downward movement by a'worm gear V49 which is rigid-- ly secured to the shaft-41. A second clutch member l50 is slidably mounted on the shaft above the clutch member 46 and is held against rotation thereon, as by means of a spline 51. The clutch member 50 has a circumferential groove .52 in which is mounted a shifting yoke 53. Connected with this yoke is an actuating rod 54 which is slldably mounted in a bearing 55 in the part 25 of the casing. I

In assembling this part of the mechanism the shaft unit, including the shaft 41, the eccentric 45, the clutch members 46 and 50 and the clutch shifting device, and, if desired, the worm gear 49, are assembled ontside of the casing and inserted inthe casing as av unit. The eccentric strap 29 of the pitman is of such a diameter that the clutch and its actuating device will pass through the saine and the bearing 42 is arranged directly above the lower opening in the casing, thus the shaft and the parts carried thereby may be passed through the opening in the lower end of the casing and through the eccentric strap, the shaft 41 being inserted in the bearing 42, the actua-ting rod 54 being inserted in the bearing 55, and the eccentric being inserted in the eccentric strap. The closure plate 27 is then placed in position and the several parts thus retained 1n their operative positions.

The worm gear 49 is driven by a worm 56 which is mounted in an offset part 57 of the casing and carried by a shaft 58, one end of which is mounted in a bearing 59 and the other end of which is supported in a bearing 60, this latter bearing being threaded into the open end of the part 57 of the casing and a cap 6l being rigidly secured to that end of the casing beyond the bearing and provided with a stuilingbox 62. This shaft -1s also provided with collars 63 to engage the respective bearings and take the end thrust on the shaft. The worm shaft 58 may be driven from any suitable source of power. It is here shown as connected with an electric motor 64 which is mounted on a bracket 65 carried by the inner portion 4 of the gear box. It will be noted that the portion 4 of the gear box extends downwardly beyond the laterally extending part 25 thereof and thus provides ample space for mounting the motor,l and the gear box being a casting forms a much firmer support for the electric motor than would the sheet metal pedestal 2, although obviousl the motor may be mounted on any suita le part of the mechanism.

The vertical shaft 41 has an upwardly extending portion 66, which may be formed integral with or se arately from the main portion of the sha t and this upper portion of the shaft extends through a tubular housing 67 projecting upwardly .from the part 43 of the gear box casing and havin()Y at 68 the usual support for the wringer. The part 66 of the shaft may be connected rwith the wringer in the usual or any suitable manner but inasmuch as the wringer and its conn eetions form no part of the present invent1on they are not illustrated. The clutch actuating rod 54 extends upwardly alon side,

the tubular housing 67 land 1s sli ably mounted at its upper end in a guideway 69 ing rod 54 and suitable means are providedv for actuating this pinion to shift the clutch.

68 at the top of the housing 67 In the present construction the pinion has a stud 72 extending axially therefrom and mounted in a member 73 which is rotatably mounted in a bearing 74 and is rovided with a handle 75 by means of whic it may be manipulated. As here shown, the stud 72 has-a circumferential groove 76 to receive the inner end of a set screw 77 mounted in lthe rotatable member 73. The groove permits the location of the pinion in any desired position with relation to the rotatable member and the set screw engages the base of the housing to rigidly connect the parts one to the other. The rotatable member 73 is also provided with a circumferential groove, as shown at 78, and a spring pressed plunger 79 extends into this groove to retain the rotatable member within the bearing and permit the same to have rotatory movement. The rotatable member has in the base of the grove 78 two or more recesses 80 spaced apart and adapted to receive a tapered end of the plunger 79 to yieldably retain the member 73 against rotation. Thus in shifting the clutch pressure is applied to the handle 75 sufficient to overcome the resistance of the yieldable plunger or detent 79 and the rotatable member 7 3 and pinion 71 are rotated until the plunger enters the second recess and thus oil'ers additional resistance to the movement of the handle, which indicates that the clutch has been completely shifted.

The adjustable connections'bctween the ro. ,tatable member 73 and the pinion and the bearing permit of the handle being adjusted with relation to the clutch member to take up any lost motion and to compensate for the wear on the clutch members.

While I have shown and described one embodiment of my invention I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to'be limited to the detailsl thereof as various modifications may occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: t

1. In a clothes washing machine, a tub, a

pedestal having a relatively narrow portion arranged centrally of and in supporting relation to said tub, a gear box interposed between said pedestal and said tub and having a laterally extendingr tubular portion, an agitot mounted in said tub, a shaft connected with said agitator and extending into said gear box, driving mechanism in said gear box having at its inner end means for'connecting the saine with said shaft and having at its outer end (means for connecting the lsame with a source of power, said gear box comprising a casing formed 1n one piece and .having o enings near the ends thereof through W ich said drivingmechanism may be inserted'and assembled therein.

.when saidv tub is in position thereon, said casing also having a laterall extending tubular part, the outer end Vo which has an opening, a removable closure for thelast mentioned opening, and driving mechanism for said shaft comprising a plurality of parts adapted to vbe inserted through the respecto be closed when said tub is in position tive openings and connected. one with the other within said casing.

3. In a clothes washing machine, a pedestal, a tub supported by said pedestal, an agitator-shaft extending into said tub, a gear box comprising a one piece casing hav- "ing a part interposed between said tub and said pedestal, said part of said casing having an lopening at its upper end arranged thereon, said casing also having a laterally extending part, the outer end of which has an opening, a removable closure for the last mentioned opening, an elongated actuating member having means for operatively connecting the same with said agitator shaft, said casing being so lshaped that said member may be inserted through the first mentioned opening into said lateral part, a` second shaft, said casing having a bearing into which said second shaft may be inserted through the opening in the outer end portion thereof, and means for operatively connecting said actuating member with said second shaft after said parts have been inserted in said casing. A

"4. In a clothes washing machine, a pedestal, a tub supported by said pedestal, an agitator shaft extending into said tub, a gear box comprising a one piece casing having a part interposed .between said tub and said pedestal, said part of said casing having an opening at its upper end arranged to ranged that said second s be closed when said tub is in position thereon, said `casing also having a laterally extending part, the outer end of which has an opening, av removable closure for the last mentioned opening, af pitman havin at one end thereof means for connecting the same with said a 'tator shaft and having at the other end t ereof an eccentric strap, said casing being so shaped that said pitman may be inserted through the first mentioned opening into the lateral part thereof, a second shaft, said casing havingl a bearingA so araft may be passed through the opening in the outer portion of said casing and through said eccentric strap into said bearing, and an eccentric mounted on said second shaft' and movable through the last mentioned opening into said eccentric strap;

5. In a clothes washing machine, a pedestal, a tub supported by said pedestal, an agitator shaft extending into said tub, a gear box comprising an integral casing having a part interposed between said tub and said pedestal, said part of said casing having an opening at its upper end arranged to be closed when said tub is in position thereon, said casing also having a laterally extending part, the outer end of which has an opening, a removable closure for the last mentioned opening, driving mechanism comprisin two units, said casing being so shape' that one of said units may be inserted therein through the first -mentioned opening, said unit having means for operatively connecting the same with saidagitator shaftsaid casing being'so shaped that' the second u ni't may be passed through the last mentioned opening and operatively mounted in said easing, the two units having means for operatively connecting'them one to the other within said casing, and means for operatively connecting said second unit with a source of power.

6. In a clothes washing machine, a pedestal, a tub supported by said pedestal, an agitator shaft extending into said tub, a gear box comprising an integral casing having a part interposed'between said tub and said pedestal, said part of said casing having an opening at its upper end arranged to be `closed when said tub is in position thereon, said casing also having a laterally extending part, the outer end of which has an opening, a removable closure for the last mentioned opening, driving mechanism comprising a pitman unit and a shaft unit, said llO pitman unit including a pitman having an maman centric rotatably mounted`on said shaft, and clutch mechanism mounted on said s haft connect the same with said eccentric said casing havin a bearing so arranged that said shaft unit may be passed through the last mentioned opening in said casing and through said eccentric strap to the shaft thereof in said bearing and to insert said eccentric in said Veccentric strap, and means for connecting said eccentric with a source of power.

7. In a clothes washing machine a pedestal, a,tub supported by said pedestal, an agitator shaft extending into said tub, a gear box comprising an integral casing having a part interposed between said tub and said pedestal, said part ofsaid casing having an opening at its upper end arranged to be closed when said tub is in position thereon, said casing also having a laterally extending part, the outer end of which has an opening, a removable closure for the last mentioned opening, a pit-man unit comprising a )itman having an eccentric stra at one end thereof and a toothed segment pivotally connected with the other end thereof, said casinff being so shaped that saidpitman unit may Iie inserted through the first mentioned opening into said lateral part thereof, means for pivotally mounting said se ent in said casing, a pinion connected wit said agitator shaft and arranged in said casing to mesh with said toothed segment, a second shaft, an eccentric mounted on said second shaft, said casing having a bearing so arranged that said second shaft and said eccentric may be passed through the opening in said outer part of said casing and inserted respectively in said bearing and said eccentric stra and means for operatively connecting said eccentric with a. source of power.

8. In a clothes Washing machine, a pedestal, a tub "supported by said pedestal, an

-' agitator shaft extending into said tub, a gear box comprising an integral casing having a part interposed between said tub and said pedestal, said part of said casing having an opening at its upper end arran ed to be closed when said tub is in position thereon, said casing also having a laterally extending part, the outer en d of which has an opening, a removable closure for the last mentioned opening, a pitman unit comprising a pitman having an eccentric strap at one end thereof and a toothed segment pivotally connected with the other end thereof, said casing being so shaped that said lpitman unit may be inserted through the rst mentioned opening into the lateral part thereof, a pivot pinto pivotally connect said segment with said casin said casing having a bearing in one wall t ereof and an opening in the opposite wall thereof thro h which said pivot pin may be inserted in said segment and said bearing, a bearing mounted in the last mentioned opening to receive the adjacent end of said pivot'pin, a pinion connected with said agitator shaft and arr in said casing to mesh with said toot ed segment, a second shaft, an eccentric mounted onsaid second shaft, said casing having a bearing so arranged that said second shaft and said eccentric'inay be passedA through the opening in the outer art of said casing and inserted respective? in said bearing and said eccentric strap, an means for o ratively connecting said eccentric wit a source of power.

9. In a clothes washing machine comprising a tub and a pedestal to support the same a one piece gear casing comprising a verticall extending portion interposed between sai pedestal and said tub and having an open upper end adapted to be closed by said tub,\. said gear casing also havin a laterally extending tubular part provided in its lower portion with an opening and hav- 'ing a vertical bearing arranged in line with said opening a closure for said opening, and drivin mechanism adapted to be inserted in sai gear casing through said openings.

10. In a clothes washing machine, a pedestal, a tub supported by said pedestal, an agitator shaft extending into said tub, a gear box comprising an integral casin having a part interposed between said tu and said pedestal, said part of said casing havingan opening at its upper end arranged to be closed when saidtub is in position thereon, said casing also `having a laterally extending part, the outer end of which has an opening, a removable closure for the last mentioned opening, driving mechanism comprising a pitman unit and a shaft unit, said pitman unit including a itman havi an eccentric strap at one endp thereof and aving at the other end thereof means for connecting it with said agitator shaft, said casing being so shaped that said pitman unit may be inserted through the opening in the upper end of the first mentioned part of said casing into the lateral part thereof, said shaft unit including a shaft, an eccentric rotatably mounted on said shaft, clutch mechanism mounted on said shaft to connect ,the same with said eccentric and an operating rod for said clutch mechanism, said casing having bearings for the shaft and the clutch operating rod of said shaft unit, said bearings rbeing so arranged that said shaft unit may be passed through the o ening in the .outer part of said casing an throughe upper end thereof, a pinion with sziid teeth, and a rotatable member connected with said pinion and provided with a handle.

11. In a clothes washing machine of the character described, comprising a tub an agitator shaft extending into said tub, a drivin shaft, an actuating member interposed tween said driving shaft and said agitator shaft, a clutch to control the connection between said connecting member and said driving shaft, and a clutch operating rod connected at its lower end with sai clutch mechanism, a guide for the up er end of said actuating rod, that part of said actuating rod located within said guide having a longitudinally arranged series of teeth, a housing opening into said guideway, a pinion rotatabl mounted in said housing and meshing with the teeth on said rod, an actuating member rotatably mounted in said housing and'V rigidly Vconnected with said pinion, and a handle for imparting rotatory movement to said actuating member.

12. In a clothes washing machine comprising a tub, a pedestal to support 'said.tub, a gear casing aving a part interposed between said pedestal and said tub, an agitator shaft mounted in said tub and extendino' into said gear casing, ,a pitman mounteld in said ear casing, o eratively connected with said agitator sha and having an eccentric stra at the outer end thereof, a vertical sha mounted in the outer portion of said gear casing, an eccentric loosely tending upwardly fromthe outer part of said gear'casing, the last mentioned shaft having a part extending through said tubularhousing, a supporting structure at the upper endof said tubular housing having a vertical guideway, a clutch to control the connection of said eccentric with the' last mentioned shaft, an operating rod connected a tubular member extending upwardly fromv the base of said tub, a shaft rotatabl mounted in said tubular member and exten Y ing beyond the upper end thereof, a collar rigidly secured to saidshaft, extending beyond the upper end thereof and having downwardly tapered notches inA opposite sides thereof, an agitator'mounted in saidv tub and comprising a tubular member mounted about the iirst mentioned Atubular member, and a pin extending through the upper partpof the tubular member of said agitator, and adapted to enter the notches in said collar and engage` the edges thereof` with a wedging action. p

In testimony whereof, I aix my signature hereto.

LOVELL A.YHERSAH. 

